The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-22

there was no living me- ,r of the Ire
mayne family who could \ brought for
ward to pose as next friend 70 the young
orphan, and this technical difficulty, com
bined with the absence of proof of the
Captains doubtful reputation, caused him
to deter taking any steps.
At length, however, after many weeks
had elapsed, Whitaker came into his
masters room one day with a startling
piece of intelligence The ever-watchful
clerk had discovered that Captain Rosseter
had purchased for himself an estate at
Stanmore for 97, 900.
"At least, he bought it in his wife s
name," explained Whitaker. "But the
question is, where did the money come
from ?"
"Good heavens exclaimed Mr. Bold.
married, eh, is he 1 heard a rumor, but
he isn't supposed to be married. How
ever, as you say, the question is, where did
he get that 97 900 from ?"
81 don't think it is difficult to guess"
said Whitaker, with grin.
"Pon my word, Whitaker, I'm afraid
it's case of serious fraud | know for
certain that the man has not e7 900 of his
own, said the lawyer, getting excited.
II wonder where that young lady is ?"
exclaimed Whitaker.
awe must find out, said Mr. Bold, en-
ergetically. "Overland & Co. gave you
the address of the school at Brighton,
didn't they? Well, you must go down
there at once, Whitaker, and trace her.
1 feel it my duty to investigate this mat
ter, for should not be the least surprised
if it transpired that this Captain ROsseter
has been helping himself to the trust
money"
Whitaker, being entirely of the same
opinion, started off on his mission without
delay, and was absent about a week, during
which time Mr. Bold fumed with impa-
tience and curiosity. Whittaker's report,
when he returned, was not calculated to
allay suspicious. He had traced Miss
Tremayne through her girlish career, from
Brighton to a school at Cheltenham, and
from thence to Bath. At the latter city
she had resided until year or two ago
with an elderly lady who had suddenly
died, since which event nobody knew what
had become of the Ang girl, or where she
had gone after leaving Bath.
''I've made up my mind what | will do,
Whitaker" said Mr.. Bold, after discus
sing the situation with his clerk. 81 shall
go and see Captain Rosseter, and insist
upon his telling me where the young lady
is. If he refuses, 1 shall feel justified iee,
taking legal steps. My belief is that tina
poor girl is either dead, or is being kept
Of her inheritence, or part of it" gof = HS co,
at locks black-very black Ito him
ed Whittaksr. ..Sfins 5a.S1..lss4s @Ssi Z
i ii ffe q consequence was tiiat next day Mr.
Bold, who was aa.lucky and determined
little gentleman, and, 'as capable of making
personal sacrifices for the sake of justice
and principle, journeyed down to Stanmore
and presented himself at the door of the
Captains newly acquired residence His
object was to take his adversary by sur
prise, and to profit by his confusion. His
design was partially successful, for no one
could have looked more startled and con-
fused than Captain Rosseter, when his
sturdy accuser was ushered into his pres
ence.
"Mr. Bold" exclaimed the Captain,
nearly dropping the post-prandial pipe
which he was smoking
ayes, sir,'' said the lawyer, severely, and
as soon as the door was closed, he confront
ed his companion, and said: captain
Rosseter, have come down here, as solici-
tor to the Tremayne family for many years,
and as solicitor to the last Colonel Ire
mayne, to demand of you information con-
cerning Colonel Tremayne's daughter"
"Sit down" said the Captain, not very
politely, but with tolerable calmness.
"No, thank you, Captain Rosseter," re-
turned the lawyer, in tone which showed
that he did not intend to be trifed with.
'I give you fair warning that if you don't
answer my question, I shall invoke the aid
of the law TO find out what / have not been
able to discover myself.
Before the Captain could reply, the door
opened, and young lady entered the room.
The lawyer, turning round, only caught a
glimpse of her as she endeavored to retire,
but he perceived that she was young and
pretty. The Captain, however, called after
her:
"Annie, my dear, come in. Let me in
troduce you, Mr.. Bold, to my wife"
Mr.. Bold bowed stifiy, and the young
lady, as though instinctively suspecting the
lawyers hostile intentions, crossed over to
her husbands side, and laid her head low
ingly on his shoulder.
"Annie, my darling" said the Captain,
with singular gentleness, ''you must let me
tell Mr. Bold your little history. How
your father, my good friend, on leaving
England, laughingly con6ded his little
daughter to my care. How used to call
and see you at school, with my pockets full
of sweetmeats. How your bright face and
innocence brought sunshine into my heart
when it was full of darkness. How you
grew up and teased me and made me realize
the unworthiness of my life. How 1 strove
to be better, only to learn my weakness
How at length, upon your old school mis-
tress, with whom you lived, dying, two